I did not grow up in church. My parents claimed to be agnostic. We were
told that there is no way to know if God exists until we die. As I grew into
my early teens, I had a lot of questions about that. My dad’s parents
attended a little pentecostal church and we were allowed to visit sometimes
on special occasions. My mom said to learn what they teach, but do not be
gullible enough to believe everything. Then the town drunk got salvation at
my Grandma’s house one night. The change was so dramatic that his
family soon followed suit.

Being a teenager is just plain difficult. Navigating the waters of change and
figuring oneself out can get really depressing. One day when I was 14, I
cried out to God. “If You are real, please show me. I want to know You as
friend to friend.” He did. A great weight lifted off me and I was flooded with
joy and peace. But it alarmed my mom. She took away my Bible and
forbade me to go to church. I went one way crying, and she went the other
way crying. My dad struggled to calm the situation. A few years later both
my mom and dad accepted their salvation.

The next three years were a lot of ups and downs as I struggled to learn all
I could about God and live the life He wanted me to live. I withdrew a lot
socially, sinking more into depression. One day in my senior year I walked
into the forest alone. Under a pine tree I poured out my soul to God. I could
not do this on my own. I needed His help. I surrendered all that I ever was
or ever would be. A light came on within me. I did not realize it was dark
before. That light glowed all around me. The air was fresher, like after a
rain. I went to school the next day radiating and unafraid. People were
astounded, but I did not have words to explain what happened.

After graduation, I went to Denver to live with my other grandma. I sought a
church to go to, eventually joining Calvary Temple, the largest
non-denominational pentecostal church in Denver. The young adults in the
College Class became great friends. I also enrolled in a Baptist Bible
College in order to focus on learning as much of the Bible as I could. It was an interesting year of many discussions between Baptist and Pentecostal
ideas. I also visited other denominations and religious groups including a
Bhuddist temple, a synagogue, and some Hindu offshoots. A group of us
attended many big-name evangelist meetings that came through Denver.

We witnessed many manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but I soon
saw that not everyone who had these gifts was scrupulous. There were
some unholy attitudes and behaviors expressed. I also saw miracles
among my friends. One young man in particular was going blind. His
glasses were getting thicker every year. Then at a meeting one night he
received his healing and did not have to wear those glasses any more.

At 21 years old I met a young man from the east side of India. His country
was originally a part of India, but separated when the British left. Known as
East Pakistan, it went to war with West Pakistan to gain autonomy. Now it
is called Bangladesh. I was fascinated by Sher and his culture. Even
though his background was Muslim, he did not practice the religion. He
worked in Denver as a research scientist looking for cancer cures. We
dated for more than a year. I debated the idea of marriage. He treated me
so well I figured I could love him into accepting salvation.

Many of my former friends moved on with their lives, marrying, getting
jobs, often moving out of state. I worked in Inhalation Therapy at the Jewish
hospital for a few years until after we married. We soon had a family. I
looked around for another church to go to. After visiting a couple, I attended
a nearby Assemblies of God for a time. I was not satisfied with their putting
their denomination before the leading of the Holy Spirit. I felt more and
more disillusioned. I was not feeding on anything but the same old stuff
over and over.

We became managers of a small apartment building, while Sher still
worked in research. It was there I met a lifelong friend, Helen, who
introduced me to William Branham’s ministry. At first, it sounded like his
followers put him on a pedestal above Christ, so I did not look into more.
Later, at a dinner with her in-laws, I saw a book of sermons by William
Branham. I was intrigued and asked for something he wrote about himself.

“Footprints on the Sands of Time.”
I prayed after reading that book, asking God if I should continue or leave it
alone. I got a warm affirmation, kind of like a smile, gentle push, and a go
ahead. My husband did not like the changes he saw in me. I think he felt
threatened by them. He told people I joined a cult. My family also thought
so. My grandmother decided to “deprogram” me one day, but I was able to
talk her out of it, saying that it was not like she thought, not like cults getting
a bad rap in the news media. After that it was a long road trying to learn
everything I could, and comparing it to the preaching I heard. However,
Sher delved headlong into Islam, hoping to convert me.

I refused to argue
religion with him. God had spoken to me personally. This way was not just
an ideology, a book of rules and rituals. Every religion has those things.
Eventually we moved to Georgia. Again it was trial and error trying to find a
church that stayed with what Brother Branham said. To my dismay, many
so-called Message churches across the country did actually make their
groups into cults, saying things like, “If you leave here, you are going
hell.” I attended a church in Augusta, Georgia, for a while under Brother
Mike Ultieg. I have nothing against him. The only reason I left was the two
hour drive each way with young children.

I visited the church in Lula, Georgia, a couple times, but did not like what I
heard at first. After a time I realized that I did not fully understand what was
being said. The church is 50 minutes from where I live, so I talked to
Brother Ultieg about my going to Lula. He knew Brother Dale and told him
about me. From then on I attended Spoken Word Church.

As I look back over many years, now, I am astounded how much of the
Bible has opened up to me. It is a history of my own history. The more I see
Jesus, the closer my walk with Him becomes. Jesus has revealed Himself
to me in so many ways It would take a real book to tell it all. The Message
of the hour is not Brother Branham’s message, it is the Bible message. I was rebaptized. I questioned whether I really had the Holy Spirit since it is
not based on gifts. I believe I do now.

He really has revealed Himself to me, communicates with me as Friend to
friend. I am extremely thankful to Brother Dale and all the ministry for
teaching the Word, showing us how to appropriate Life. That Life is the real
testimony of Jesus Christ. He makes it happen because we can’t do it of
our own accord. It is no longer, “Do this and don”t do that.” Instead, it is
giving up, letting go, and letting Him